Buffalo County, NE truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Buffalo County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
9 of 622 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Buffalo County compares with Nebraska
Buffalo County against Nebraska and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Buffalo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Buffalo County | Nebraska | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 104.3 | 60.7 | 49.7 | 1.7× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.8 | 4.8 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.48 | 0.57 | 0.49 | 16% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.5% | 1.8% | 2.3% | 15% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 27.1% | 16.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.1% | 22.4% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 26.8% | 20.4% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 49.2% | 42.7% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 30.1% | 24.5% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Buffalo County has lower values than Nebraska for injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
Buffalo County at a glance: 27.1% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Nebraska: 16.7%).
Overview
Buffalo County has recorded 622 truck crashes since 2015, with 293 people injured and 30 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 7 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 12.9% of truck crashes; the quietest is June at 5.6%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 49.2% of truck crashes, vs 42.7% for Nebraska.
More truck crashes happen at 9–10 am than at any other hour (6.6%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 27.1% of truck crashes, compared with 16.7% in Nebraska.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-80 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). Next come SR-10 (2), CR-DAYKIN Rd (1) and CR-E Coal Chute Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
9 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.4% share (Nebraska: 1.8%).
Route planning tips for Buffalo County fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Buffalo County.
- Look at alternatives to I-80 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- With 27.1% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Nebraska), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Buffalo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Buffalo County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 9 |
| SR-10 | 2 |
| CR-DAYKIN Rd | 1 |
| CR-E Coal Chute Rd | 1 |
| US-30 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Buffalo County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 173 |
| US-30 | 8 |
| US-183 | 7 |
| Ne-2 | 6 |
| 080 /255.840/I80 W Of Wb Ramp From Us183-Sw Of | 6 |
| 2Nd Ave | 5 |
| 080 /272.650/I80 Under 2Nd Ave(N44) | 4 |
| 080 /283.500/I80 E Of N10-Sw Of Gibbon | 4 |
Buffalo County at a glance
| Population | 51,156 |
| Land area | 968.2 sq mi |
| Density | 53 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $76,215 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Buffalo County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 42 | — | 1.0 |
| 2000s | 37 | -12% | 2.0 |
| 2010s | 43 | +16% | 1.5 |
| 2020s | 60 | +39% | 1.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 42 a year in the 1990s and 60 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Buffalo County
ZIP codes in Buffalo County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Buffalo County
How many truck crashes happen in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County has had 622 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 293 people and killing 30.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Buffalo County?
I-80 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck in Buffalo County since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Buffalo County?
Truck crashes in Buffalo County peak in December, with 12.9% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Buffalo County?
9 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Buffalo County since 2015, 1.4% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Buffalo County compare with Nebraska?
The yearly rate is 104.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Buffalo County, vs 60.7 for Nebraska.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Buffalo County?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.